Page 86 of Impending Consent

"You ever just know something? Not logically or based on evidence, but in your gut?"

“I’m an attorney. Everything I do is based on logic and evidence.” He smirked. “But I know what you mean.”

“From the moment I met Sailor, there was something there. A connection that didn’t logically make sense but I felt that shit. Even when she was being difficult.” I grinned. “Especially then and when she got drunk that night begging me to f…” I paused and noticed TJ frowning when he realized what I was about to say. I smirked. “…proposing this ridiculous ass marriage..."

"You saw an opportunity to fuck her," Jairo said.

TJ shot him a deadly glare so I moved things forward.

"I saw an opportunity that might not happen again, so I went with it.”

"That's some romantic bullshit right there." Jairo laughed. “And even though I think you’re fucking insane for going through with it, I get it. Sail is cool people."

"What's your endgame?" Gray asked. "The prenup has an expiration date, right? What happens when the year is up?"

"I'm hoping she won’t leave.” I laughed. “At this point that’s all I got because you never fucking know with Sail.”

"And if she does?" TJ asked.

"Then I'll have to let her go because you know your sister as well as I do. Sailor does what she wants and is not the type of woman you keep somewhere she has no interest in being."

Which was how I knew that regardless of her resistance, she wanted this damn marriage and me.

Gray brushed a hand over his head. "She's different with you, which says a lot."

"She seems happy," TJ agreed. "Still Sailor, but there's a lightness to her I haven't seen in a long time. So whatever you two have going on and whatever you’re doing is working."

"Thanks."

"Don't thank us yet," Gray warned. "Being with an Addison is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. Just when you think you've got that shit track figured out, there's a drop you don’t see coming."

“I should be offended, but I can’t really argue that shit." TJ laughed. "Indi says this family is exhausting and too fucking demanding." He turned to Gray. "Speaking of demanding, how's the new baby prep going? Sky mentioned you were knee-deep in nursery renovations."

Gray groaned. "Don't get me fucking started. I've repainted that damn room twice because apparently sage green and mint green are completely different colors that will psychologically affect our child's development."

"Wait till the name debates start. Sky's gonna have a spreadsheet with pros and cons for every possibility," TJ said.

"She already does. Complete with historical significance and potential nicknames to avoid."

We all listened while he got all his gripes about preparing for their second child off his chest but I got distracted when a text came through from Sail.

Sailor: Surviving?

Me: Are you checking on me?

Sailor: We’re a team, even if you wouldn’t save me from my emotional overload.

I chuckled.

Me: If it makes you feel any better, I think we were set up. I’ve had to do a deep dive with my emotions too. I’m starting to believe that was the purpose of this shit.

Sailor: Knowing my sister, I would have to agree. She probably sent Teej and Gray with a list of intentional bullet points to cover with you.

From what I knew of Skylar, I would agree, but I also felt TJ and Gray’s concerns were genuine.

Me: Nah, I think this is just a case of protective big brothers.

The dots started and stopped a few times before her text popped up.

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